Tone-gards

[blugrassboy]

HEY! I just order'd a tone gard and I wanted to have everybodys opinion on it?? I have have played a a mando with one then I took it off,and there was a vast volume difference,but I was just wondering what othe mandolin players thought. THANKS!

[GVD]

Trust your ears and look at all the top players who are using them now (Grisman, Skaggs etc.) As a matter of fact just this weekend I had quite a conversation about Tone Gards with Mike Marshall. He said he just loved his and could tell quite a difference even on that sweet Loar of his.

GVD

[recklessmando]

Someone in a previous thread said that a Tone Gard was the single best upgrade a person could make on their mando and I wholeheartedly agree. Enjoy it!

[Scotti Adams]

..it is the best thing you can do for your mando...hands down...no ifs, ands, buts about it....get one if you dont have one yet...

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I think it's a great thing for most mandos, and I use it all the time, with one exception. It doesn't seem to make any difference on my Collings MF-5. Don't know why, since it's a big difference on my Fern and on my A.L. Smart. Another side benefit is that when you're playing at a festival this summer in the heat, it provides some ventilation between you and your mando. Cool, huh?

[Mike McCoy]

Your ears told you what you need to know. I put one on my mando and guitar and havent taken them off since. There's nothing out there that is going to produce the kind of improvements in your mando that a ToneGard can.

[SternART]

I've yet to hear a mando that isn't improved by the ToneGard. I have one on each of my instruments.
I hear increase in volume as well as bass response, and more clarity......makes perfect sense that if the back is touching your body it will dampen the sound. I've heard Loars with & without them & there was no comparison, better Garded!!! I know some think "if Bill didn't use one I don't need one" well your loss, these darn things really work!

[Clyde Clevenger]

I have one on my Bush, and I've played in a couple of single mic bands where the sound man asked me to back off a little, we can't hear the banjo. True story, this time.

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

I use a tone Gard and think there is some improvement. however it isn't a night and day thing to me. Also, i believe it changes the way the mandolin sounds tonally. I think it is brings out a little more treble and a little more sustain. Not a bad thing, just a little different. Either way i like it and most of all, it helps the back not get scratched. One thing though, you must be very careful with the pieces that touch the mandolin. When taking it on and off it is easy to poke the mando with the feet? of the gard and the rebbuer can leave marks. Also, keep an eye on the placement of the rubber pieces-if they move to much and become spaced unevenly you can scratch the rim of the mando with the tone gard itself.

Michael

[Ted Eschliman]

Add me to the list of tone-gard "freaks."
I already had one on my Michael Lewis, and just today got one for my Rigel CT110. It's the real deal.
Not just volume, it kind of "rounds" the sound, too.
Amazing. Simply, amazing.

[GTison]

I got one and I'm not a big fan. yet anyway.

[straight-a]

You're going to LOVE IT!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[jiffyfeet]

I couldn't imagine anything you could do short of buying a better mando (or learning to play better) that would make an instrument's sound improve so much. It does change the tone, as someone mentioned, in a way that I found very positive on my mando. The volume was the most noticable though.

[250sc]

Bowfinger,

Do you hold your mando away from your body when you play to let the back move? If not, can you tell a difference in your tone when the mando is touching your stomach and when it isn't?

[blugrassboy]

I played Adams Steffeys gibson mando couple weeks ago,and he said that he loves his tone-gard!! Then after that he said that I knew I would have to get me one! I'll let ya'll know when I get mine and tell ya what I think about it!

[GTison]

250, I find it a little cumbersome to carry I don't like it on the mandolin in the case. It's ok. I usually hold the mandolin out when I play and I move the mandolin around a bit for different effects. We do play on a one mic sys. ours really likes the mandolin anyway. It's a great idea and it works for many folks. Maybe I'll play with it on tommorrow agian. I've left it off since it got black stuff all over my shirt. I guess I'll have to put pledge on those rubber feet to keep it from happening.

[Talon]

Just ordered my first one two days ago. Looking forward to trying it out.

AHHHHH got it. Very nice crafstmanship. Fit and finish very good. Can hear a boost in volume. Fits in case with it on.
Happy owner.

[carleshicks]

can some one post a picture of one or direct me to a web site i am very interested

[Ted Eschliman]

Tone-gard (http://tone-gard.com/)
One of mine:
http://members.aol.com/teesch/images/tonegard.jpg
Rigel Blue

I have another one on my Michael Lewis 'Django,'
and I'm considering yet another for my Djangolin.

Heck, they're so good, I might even get one for my solid body electric!
(Just kidding about the electric...)

[250sc]

Bowfinger,

When I read you weren't completely sold on your tone guard I figured you held the mando away from your body when you wanted more volume or to change your tone.

[blugrassboy]

People I have gotten my tone-gard! And WOW was I impressed......I had played one before,but It really changed the tone on my mandolin! I recomend a tone-gard to everybody!

[WJF]

Seems pretty much everyone is in agreement about these things but I have to ask ... don't you run the risk of marring or scratching the finish by using them ... especially where it attachs itself to the body.

Call me the poster boy for anal-retentive-compulsive-obsessives http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif but I don't want anything coming anywhere near my instruments that might scratch them!! Both of my AL Smarts are varnish too ... doesn't that imply even more risk? Heck ... I won't even use an Intellitouch tuner on them because it clamps on.

Please reassure me. I'd be tempted to give it a try if I could get past my fear of marring an otherwise beautiful instrument.

Thanks!

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I can assure you, Wayne, everywhere the Tone-Gard touches the mandolin, it is protected with soft rubber. I have a Tone-Gard that I use on both my Lawrence Smart and my Gibson F-5V Fern, and even with repeatedly removing and installing there is absolutely no evidence of any marks. And just for the record, aren't Lawrence's varnish finishes the best? Gibson should look at the method he uses. The Gibson varnish technique looks like they dip 'em in a big vat!

[Lee]

I was considering a ToneGuard for my Old Wave A-style oval hole. I too am a bit concerned because the finish is completly natural and I'm concerned the black rubber could leave marks.
I'm also considering one of those Weber tailpiece/armrests. Anybody tried one? Who else makes them?

[Charlie Ayers]

I've got a 4-5 mo old, standard tonegard that is like new that I would sell, if someone is interested. I haven't used it, and have sold off 2 of my 3 mandolins, so I don't think I will be. My email is smcayers@ihc.com if anyone is interested.

Charlie

[Scotti Adams]

..Im about to embark on my second Tone-Gard for my new mando..Ive already got one....the new one will be more of a custom job....they are a great product..I have had absolutley no problem with it leaving any marks on my mando......Hail to Tony!!

[WireBoy]

well i took Charlie Ayers up on his offer. #I'm going to give his wayward ToneGard a new home. #I'm really anxious to see if its really all you folks say it is. #I've got a Parsons F2 that could really use bit more sustain. #I have to cheat and play it angled away from me so the back rings free. Hopefully, this will fit the bill.

What's next on the Tone enhancement list? #Its got a Weber cast tail piece and a mother of pearl nut and a traditional bridge. #I'm thinking the fossilized ivory bridge saddle. #or should i go Brekke (original or 'traditional')? #Or both?

[Joe Parker]

Is anyone using a tone guard on a Master Model? Any adverse affect to the varnish finish? I would like to protect the back of mine but not at the cost of marring the finish where the tone guard attaches.Thanks.

JPP

[wallflower]

JPP-

You'll get some minor marks where the rubber pads touch the back of the Master Model. #I personally don't think it's that big of a deal. #It's better than having sweat all over the back. #

On the other hand, if it's a new Master Model, I'd probably let the varnish cure for a while before I used a tone-gard or anything else. #It seems like the varnish takes some time to completely set up.

[aimee]

Roland White uses one. He showed us all at the workshop last weekend. Everybody wanted to see it and asked lots of questions.

[WireBoy]

i got Charlie's ToneGard today. #and wow! the hype is for real. #notes ring just so clear and long now. #there's a whole new nuance i can use now that wasn't there before. #

no problems fitting it on my F5 style. #the soft rubber pads on the three pressure pins and rim of the gaurd offer more than enough protection and it fits on the mando back while its in the case.

I am now one of the converted...Get yours today !!

[johnwalser]

I had to see what all this was about and since Tony lives close, I went over and got a Tonegard from him yesterday. It gives better volume and tone to both my instruments, but the difference it made in my 30 year old Epiphone 2 point can not be believed. It woke up the wood and gives it much more richness. I am getting 2 more (one for an instrument being built) and can not imagine a Tonegard not impoving "any" instrument.
John

[sandcastlefaith]

Is it less comfortable to hold and play a mandolin with a tone gard on it?

[Fuzzyway]

sandcastelfaith,

The Toneguard adds very little width to the back of the mandolin. After 2 minutes you will never notice physically that it is on the instrument.

Best, Fuzzy

[duuuude]

OK, you can add me to the Tone-Gard converts, put it on yesterday and could tell the difference immediately, had to stop & think whether I was picking harder or it just sounded louder, it was definitely the Tone-Gard. Money well spent, IMWO.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[WireBoy]

welcome duuuude to the ranks of the Tone-Gardists !

[Corbin Smith]

I find it hard to believe that an installed tonegard would fit in the case with my Collings A. It's a tight fitting case, but the maker touts that it will fit in the case. One user here said he didn't like it in the case. Why not?

[WireBoy]

don't like a tone gard on our mando in the case? #could this be the problem? with a tonegard installed on your mando whilst in the case, the case liner that touches the mando back will acquire the wire frame pattern of the tone gard.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Maybe I'll get a small case for my tone-gard, that way I won't have to put it in the mando case, and I can have it ready for whatever mando I'm playing at the time! No need to buy more than one. Wonder if it would fit in the wife's purse?

[chirorehab]

I just ordered one for MK!

While I did tell my wife, I didn't tell her about the possible increase in volume!

Thanks!

Eric

[Ken Sager]

Maybe I'll get a small case for my tone-gard, that way I won't have to put it in the mando case, and I can have it ready for whatever mando I'm playing at the time! No need to buy more than one. Wonder if it would fit in the wife's purse?
Tony suggests leaving them on since the fatigue to the (slightly) flexible joint from taking off/putting on could eventually cause it to fail.

I only take mine off to demonstrate to nay-sayers how much quieter my mandolin is when it's back is resting against my body instead of allowed to freely vibrate.

Joy to all,
Ken

[Ken Sager]

Wonder if it would fit in the wife's purse?
I forgot to comment on how plain weird your last sentence struck me...

Just don't let folks give you #### about carrying your wife's purse around! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Joy to all,
Ken

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

[quote=Ken Sager,July 02 2004, 16:40]Just don't let folks give you #### about carrying your wife's purse around! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif


Oh, I'd have my wife carry the purse, then she could hand the tone gard to me when I get the mando out of the case. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Or not.

[LarryWilliams]

I've been lurcking of the mandolincafe for quite a while and this is my first post. I have just received a tone-gard from Tony Pires and it makes the difference in loudness that all have claimed. My custom left-handed Wayne Henderson F-5 already had a pretty loud bark to it, even up against your body. Once the tone-gard was attached I got the same loud bark out of it that you got sitting down with the back not touching your body. This product really allows your mandolin to be all it can be.

The only situation I have run into is my mandolin will no longer fit into my TKL case with the Tone-Gard attached (way too tight a fit). So I guess whether a mandolin fits into your case with the Tone-Gard attached is mainly dependent on how tight a fit you have now without one. #Still a great product!!

Larry Williams

[Kevin K]

Your TKL case should loosen it's fit a bit in time, mine did with no damage to the gard or mandolin and still holds the mandolin snug, don't give up and enjoy.

K-